This will be his sixth festival and he is excited to be back. 

“I always love coming to Goulburn,” James said. 

“It’s always a lot of fun, the after-party is always great and I get to catch up with all my friends.

“It’s a beautiful city.”

The Melburnian’s love for music started from a young age. He came from a musical family as well. 

“I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12,” he said. 

“My sister was a singer and I always used to be the guitarist and the accompaniment.

“I used to finish my dinner really quickly so I could play for the family.”

The veteran of music festivals is extremely proud of managing to become a full time musician. 

“My biggest achievement would probably be quitting my previous job, moving into my van and doing music full time,” he said. 

For some people, being a good musician is a talent, but James doesn’t see it that way. 

“I see it as a passion,” he said. 

“It’s just something I do without forcing myself.

“It doesn’t feel like work, but a good release.”

His first encounter with blues music happened about 10 years ago.

He now loves the genre because of its storytelling aspect.

“I love the innuendos and how it can be both sad and happy music.”

James’ goals for the future are to continue to do what he’s been doing and to try to play his music in as many corners of the globe as he can. 

In the meantime, though, Julian James will be performing in three solo acts around town during the Australian Blues Music Festival.

He will also be hosting a masterclass for students at Mulwaree High School on Thursday, February 7.